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Represents cost sharing percentages of total project costs of research and development contracts.

No definition available.

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The maximum number of days after an invoice is issued when accounts receivable is considered due.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_NumberOfDaysAfterInvoiceIssuanceWhenAccountsReceivableIsDueMaximum
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Period Type:	duration

The minimum number of days after an invoice is issued when accounts receivable is considered due.

No definition available.

Name:	plug_NumberOfDaysAfterInvoiceIssuanceWhenAccountsReceivableIsDueMinimum
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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The maximum term of extended warranty contracts sold by the entity.

No definition available.

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The minimum term of extended warranty contracts sold by the entity.

No definition available.

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No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetAbstract
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For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49124121&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)
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The expense charged against earnings for the periodic recognition of capitalized leases. This element may apply to energy companies that lease mineral producing properties and to other enterprises that capitalize property, plant, or equipment obtained through capital leases.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

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Amount of deferred revenue as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 605
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 13.A.4(a).Q1 Response)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012821&loc=d3e214044-122780

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 13
-Section A

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Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwillAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LeasesCapitalAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LeasesOperatingAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LessorLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The portion of the gain that will be recorded as income or a reduction in rent expense in future periods less amounts recognized in the current period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 40
-Section 35
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35688829&loc=d3e50609-112754

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount received for services rendered and products shipped, but not yet billed, for non-contractual agreements due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_UnbilledReceivablesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=plug_ProductsAndServicesArrangementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis=plug_ResearchAndDevelopmentContractsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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